After moving a patient with heat-related illness to an air-conditioned environment, which is the next best step?

• A. Dry skin
• B. Cover with a dry sheet
• C. Assess vital signs and blood glucose level
• D. Apply cold packs to groin

Answer: (C)

Stabilizing and quickly clarifying the patient’s condition is the priority once you’ve moved them to a cooler environment. The next best step is to assess vital signs and check a blood glucose level. This step confirms whether the patient is hemodynamically stable and airway-protected, and it rules out hypoglycemia as a reversible cause of altered mental status or weakness. Hypoglycemia can mimic or complicate heat illness and requires prompt treatment with glucose, which can markedly improve the patient’s status.

Dry skin or covering with a dry sheet don’t directly address the patient’s current stability or underlying cause, and placing cold packs on the groin focuses on cooling but should follow an initial assessment to guide the overall plan. Once vital signs and glucose are evaluated, you can proceed with appropriate cooling, fluids, or other interventions based on stability and findings.